Building an MLS Roster part 6 – What I think the Timbers will end up doing

the Major League Soccer logo. The Portland Timbers will become one of two new franchise that join North America's top level of soccer in 2011

I’ve talked a lot about how MLS fills their roster, and used a lot of technical terms to describe the process. However, as we all know from watching sports is that sports is part statistics and part emotion, and it’s hard to put feelings into a quantifiable measure. It’s easy to review statistics and injury histories and make a determination between two equally talented players, but where the science of player evaluation becomes difficult is measuring a player’s heart.

Those that have chosen the life of a professional athlete have a calling that many of us understand, but they have the talent to stand out. I would love to think what it would be like to play professionally, but I know that I don’t possess nearly enough skill to stand out for an MLS roster spot. Professional athletes need to have a belief in themselves and what they can do, and then be able to show that talent on command under intense pressure. It’s a job that many would love to do, but only a handful could even fathom pulling off. Now add to all of this pressure the added variable of having your team jump to MLS, the top league in American soccer, where many of the world’s best players regularly play. It’s a lot to ask players to deal with, but at the same point, it’s the goal that they all dream for.

John Spencer was hired as the team's first MLS coach on August 10, and will be charged with leading the Timbers into a new era. As least in my opinion, there are current USSF Timbers players that can help the team bridge the new era in Portland soccer.

I have a great deal of respect for the current USSF Division 2 Timbers and the Timbers U-23 teams, who both have shown incredible skill and passion in representing the city. Each player that I’ve met from both teams has shown great skill on the pitch, but a friendly and approachable demeanor that shows great maturity. I really wish every one of them success in their future plans, especially since for many of them, their paths in their playing career will take them from the Rose City.

Based upon my opinion, I feel that the following players warrant consideration for the MLS team:

Pore is a goal scorer even with recent struggles on the pitch, while Dike and Josten have the most natural talent of the current forwards. Keel has shown remarkable versatility in playing midfield and defense, while Gaudet has excellent pitch vision helping create chances for other players. Joy and Purdy have been the most consistent backline players, McManus is a born leader, and Cronin has shown flashes of brilliance in goal. While Brown hasn’t played yet in a game, he possesses a strong resume that warrants consideration if he can hold off U-23 keeper Gleeson. The Timbers U-23 have three play making midfielders in Hasson, Farfan and Braun that play excellent two way games, creating chances up front while helping defend in back, while Richards simply scores goals in bunches.

View full sizeThe Timbers Army celebrate a goal back in the 2007 USL Playoffs. The fans of the team are extremely excited for the prospect of MLS, and are ready to support the team as they move into their new era of play in MLS.

These are based upon my own observations, and I’m prepared to admit there will be some on this list that won’t end up earning this honor, while there are a few that I’m sure will step up unexpectedly and surprise us. That’s the beauty of the evaluation process because it’s not an exact science at all, and there will be plenty of twists and turns. We don’t even know what current MLS players will be available for expansion, much less the possible players worldwide that could view Portland as their next destination in their playing career. The Timbers have earned a reputation as a passionate fan base and a wonderful place to play, so I can imagine that will warm some to playing in the rainy Pacific Northwest. And as much as we'd like to see the entire group of current Timbers move up, MLS simply doesn't allow the Timbers to keep everyone so tough decisions will need to be made.

The key component to building the roster, though, is the management, and I believe in what the Timbers possess here. Merritt Paulson is a one-of-a-kind owner, while Gavin Wilkinson has shown great success in finding talented players throughout the world that are willing to play in Portland. With the team finally selecting John Spencer as their first coach on August 10, I feel they will find common ground to create a solid foundation simply because they understand what is at stake here. It’s important that the city have a team that is talented but also good characters on and off the pitch, because fans here support clubs like no other. The remaining games of the season bring the next chapter into focus, and like many of you, I can’t wait to see how this plays out.